This is where I write things that won't fit on Twitter or Facebook.

December 01, 2010

It is so hard to believe that December is here already! This month is jam packed with activity for us including an early Christmas celebration with Doug’s family at the beach, which we haven’t even started shopping for, and then Road Trip! Doug & I will be hitting the road in our new to us travel trailer, pulled by our cube truck filled with antiques. We will be traveling to Arizona to set up and sell in Quartzsite. I’ll road trip it down with Doug & the Chihuahuas and then I have to fly back because I can’t take that much time off work. He will stay and sell as much as he can.

I am excited for a little vacation, even if it will mostly be spent in the seat of the truck. I just hope the weather holds out and isn’t too snowy or icy over the mountains. I love the snow but not on the roads.

Last weekend we spent most of our time at the beach house. As we were having our coffee on Sunday morning, our view was this amazing double rainbow over the ocean. We are so lucky! I am never going to get over this amazing view. I can sit and stare at it for hours. To me, this is the ultimate relaxation.

November 11, 2010

Unfortunately there are many things that get in the way of just curling up with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a new knitting project. Work being the biggest obstacle.

I have started a new knitting project - Harmonia's Rings Cowl in a wonderful merino wool. It is knitting up quickly which is always nice. The days are so short now, dark when I leave for work and dark when I leave for home. Carrying this little knitting project along does help though.

NaNoWriMo update: I am not nearly where I should be but I am enjoying telling a story and I'm not pressuring myself at all. Problem is I keep getting ideas for other stories.

Funny, that is the same way I am about knitting projects too. I just bought a new pattern for a sweater I want to start, now, while I'm still working on this cowl.

November 08, 2010

It feels so good to finally be able to share this with everyone. We have a beach house! We closed on the house and picked up the key on September 17th but have been working on renovating the entire house before we shared it with the rest of the family. One by one we lured them to the beach and then surprised them. This weekend completed the final surprise so now I don't have to keep it a secret anymore. I'll do more posts on the before and after pictures so that you can see the whole renovation but for now here it is!

Located in Rockaway Beach, Oregon - the house sits up on the hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I think you will agree it is an amazing house. This is what you see when you drive up to it.

Don't you love the tower in the front? The builder of the house took full advantage of every possible view. As you can see, the yard still needs to be cleaned up. There is beautiful landscaping under all the berries and brush. Amazing flowers in the terraced garden. Doug even uncovered a rock bench built into the hillside where we will be able to sit and watch the sunset in the summer. This is the view of the front door and as you can see, there is an expansive view from the house. As far as you can see left and right - the Pacific Ocean.

We also look out on Twin Rocks. Watching the sunrise each morning, the rocks light up. It is truly a beautiful sight.This is the view from the eating nook. It is the center of the tower, looking out over the city of Rockaway Beach and the ocean. It is where I am sitting now as I type this. Every room in the house has a view of the beach.Because the town sits between the Tillamook National Forest and the Pacific Ocean there is an abundance of wildlife. We see deer almost every day that we are here. They come right into our yard. We have also seen coyote and bobcat. Our neighbors told us that black bear are occasionally spotted too!The Chihuahua Army loves sitting out on the deck with chew bones and a nice soft blanket. They are starting to get used to being here on the weekends and really like it. During most of the renovation they had to be crated because of the dangers of saws, wood chips, nails, etc. But now they are able to just enjoy it like we are.I have seen some of the most amazing sunsets in the past eight weeks. It is a real treat to have a sunny day and be able to stop whatever work we are doing, sit down with a glass of wine and just watch as the sky changes color and the sun falls below the horizon. Mother Nature sure knows how to put on a show.I'll have many more posts on the beach house, we are happy that the hard work is over. We still have some painting to do in the downstairs bedroom and garage and then all of the yard work which has been neglected for over two years but it is enjoyable work as we stop for a moment to look out at the amazing view.

October 29, 2010

I keep repeating those words to myself this morning. Every year when November rolls around I remember that it is time for NaNoWriMo (check out the website for all the info nanowrimo.org).Every year I say to myself "I should do this". Well, this year I have signed up. I've been thinking a lot lately about writing, I even have a few plot ideas. The big question of course is - when will I find the time?

I've been browsing the forums on the NaNoWriMo website and reading some of the suggestions for beginners, lots of great info there. My inner critic is already showing up. I am going to try, writing anything is better than writing nothing. Seriously, who is ever going to read it. Maybe not even me. Maybe I'll just keep writing and just not look back.

October 22, 2010

I’ve been hanging out at the mall lately. Everyday this week, that is where I have spent my lunch hour. I’m loving the free wi-fi at the Barnes & Noble and that I can just grab some lunch at the food court – so many choices. This reminds me of my teenage years when hanging out at the mall was one of my favorite things to do. Different mall, different friend, different city but still the mall.

It all makes me feel rather sentimental. I’ve been thinking a lot this past month about how we travel through the various stages in life and how when you are younger you feel like your challenges are something no one else understands and how some things you’ll never get through and then as each decade passes, how life really gets better. Sure, we have challenges and issues and tragic things that happen and once again you think you’ll never get beyond it but somehow you do and then life gets just that much better. All of the work, the struggles, the tears you just keep pushing through. The happy moments fill in between and somehow keep you going. Pretty soon you realize that there are more happy moments than sad ones and that indeed, life is good. The work, the challenges, the issues don’t seem to be the biggest and worst things any more.

I have heard all of my life that for women it just gets better after 40, maybe I’ve been programmed to believe this and that is why I feel this way or maybe it is true. I am going to be 45 in a few months and I can tell you - Life is good. I’ve been through many things that I thought would define me in a negative way for the rest of my life, that I would carry the anger and pain until the day I die. I know now that isn’t true, for all of those people who tell each other “time mends” – you are right. Sure, I still have memories that cause sadness, pain, anger. I still have fear that things won’t always be this good. Tragedy will happen at some point. I also feel that this good time gives me strength, allows me to become stronger than I was before. I hope the strength will prepare me to handle the challenges and issues that are just around that next corner. I really hope that this stage lasts for awhile, I’m really starting to enjoy it.

I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend ahead of me. That big news that I’ve been hinting about is almost ready to be shared. After this weekend I can share what I’ve had to keep such a secret. I am really bad at keeping secrets. Now that this top secret project is almost finished and once it is shared another project is on the horizon. I don’t think that one is going to be such a big secret and I’m hoping I can blog about it along the way because I think there will be much to talk about. I just can’t start talking about that yet. The deal isn’t sealed yet.

October 14, 2010

Last night we enjoyed a great show at Portland Center Stage http://www.pcs.org/ We have seen Sunset Blvd. Before but it has finally been released to be done by smaller theatres so were anxious to see what Portland Center Stage could do with it.

Overall, I recommend it. The set was simple but worked beautifully. I loved the moving staircase. The costumes were amazing, sparkling, feathers, & fur. I loved how they did such a big show on such a small stage and how they made it work so well.

I was a bit disappointed with the lead male, I thought they could have cast someone a bit stronger for that role. I always want Joe to be tall, blond, and strong. The actor who portrayed Max was amazing, certainly the best of the show. His vocals were wonderful and character was dead on.

October 05, 2010

I've been sick these past few days, crummy, yucky sick! But the work doesn't stop and I've been as busy as ever. I did take one day to just stay down, which for me meant staying home and catching up on laundry. It seemed to work, I'm finally feeling human again.

One of the things I love the most about the Pacific Northwest is the amazing weather we have in the early fall. This photo is totally untouched, just snapped with my little Canon Elph - which I found after having 'misplaced' it for a month or so. I was totally lost without my little camera, normally it is in my purse always but I had left it in my last purse when I changed to a new purse and totally forgot where it was.

So happy to have it back and so happy for this beautiful, amazing clear blue sky weather we are having this week. I am enjoying every moment of it.

I'm finishing up my Steampunk costume for this Saturday's Time Travelers' event. Hope I can pull it together in time!

September 24, 2010

I have been doing some research on the history of denim this week (did you know it was in use as far back as the 1700’s?), and came across the Volkswagen Jeans Bug from the early seventies. I had forgotten how cute these vintage bugs were.

The Jeans Bug’s interior is all denim, how cute!

Curious to see if there are any of these still around, I did a quick online search and couldn’t find any for sale. I could find parts and such but no complete original ones. I know Volkswagen has brought back the Bug in recent years but I think they should re-issue this version. Especially in those great retro colors!

September 16, 2010

The leaves are all changing - beautiful colors of orange, red and yellow - and the rain has started. I'm starting to feel the chill in the air and actually pulled out the leggings this morning to wear. I considered the boots, but just couldn't bring myself to put them on just yet.

The Chihuahua Army had their photoshoot last night and they were so much more behaved than I ever imagined. It may have been the fact that the treats never stopped, but they were all so good. Pinto is the star of course. I have been taking his picture since he was 8 weeks old when we got him. It is funny because whenever I get the camera he will stop doing whatever it is he is doing and pose for me. He has always done that! Last night, with Melissa behind the camera he did the same thing. We put him up on a bench and he just sat straight up, posed and looked right at the camera. Shot after shot. He would stand on things, sit on things, whatever we wanted him to do. I felt like one of those beauty pagent moms. "Oh, of course he can do that", "Yes, he is adorable and amazing".

The photoshoot is for a Bonnie Hayes Animal Shelter promotion. Melissa asked if she could use the Chihuahua Army and of course, they love publicity.

The proofs are done but I cannot access them from the computer I'm on today so I will be posting them on Pinto's blog, probably this weekend. If you follow me on Facebook you can see them there now.

If you are looking for a photographer for yourself, your family, your pets, whatever, give Melissa a call at Aedan Studio in Downtown Hillsboro. She is the best. She is also going to be doing the portraits at the Time Travelers' Ball.